645. Elin Eriksson: Women in Tech behövs mer än någonsin
·28 min·2 clips
When the lights dim at a Women in Tech conference, 3,000 people fall silent, waiting for what happens next.
The episode begins with host Christian von Essen introducing Elin Eriksson, co-founder and creative director of Women in Tech Sweden, recorded at Epicenter in Stockholm. Elin describes the unique atmosphere at their conferences, where audiences become unusually quiet and attentive when lights dim. She provides background on Women in Tech Sweden, founded in 2014 as a business-led initiative involving Spotify, MTGX, and Swedish Google, initially holding a conference on Women's Day. The organization has evolved from event organizing to a broader social actor, engaging in meetups, newsletters, reports, podcasts, and political advocacy. Elin discusses the ongoing need for Women in Tech, citing under 30% female representation in IT and telecom, and cultural issues like glass ceilings and unequal treatment that drive women out. She emphasizes that diversity requires building trust and inclusive cultures, referencing Google studies on team dynamics. The conversation shifts to the upcoming annual conference on April 22 at Waterfront in Stockholm, with a theme 'Riding the Tides of Tech' and sessions on AI, quantum computing, and cybersecurity. Elin explains the innovative ticket distribution system: members apply, and tickets are randomly allocated via a 'magical machine' for 5-9 kronor, ensuring high attendance rates and diverse quotas for students, young professionals, and allies. She notes the conference is live-streamed since 2016 to reach broader audiences. Elin reveals an experimental pay-what-you-want donation option, inspired by Radiohead, allowing attendees to voluntarily add funds beyond the base ticket price. She shares that post-conference surveys focus on feelings, with common responses being 'included and inspired.' When asked for tips to improve the future, Elin advises kindness, opening doors for others, and considering whose voices are missing in decision-making. She recommends newsletters like Judith Woltz's 'Plötsligt i framtiden' and 'No more FOMO' for condensed insights. The episode concludes with Elin suggesting Degmo Dar of Emstech as a future interview guest and reminders about the conference and live stream.
